Topic: To power steer or not to power steer
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Hi All, Wanted your thoughts on adding power steering to my 68 427 / 435 conv. I am planning on doing the ft. end this winter and a few have told me this is a no brainer -- so what do you think ?? Any thoughts from anyone who has done this would really be helpfull. Thanks !!! Bruce B.B.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
If ya got a number matchin' car in pretty good shape, I would leave the steering like it is. That is if it didn't come with power steering, don't put it in there. Just my 2 cents. There's some stuff I would love to put in my clunker, but since it didn't come that way and she's pretty much original (that's why she's a clunker) I'll just let her be until something breaks. Are you confused yet? 
�����
My Link 
MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Big blocks w/no power steering can be a handfull. The good thing is, you can install PS without any major modifications to the car, so it could be returned to stock easily. The only mod. that would be hard to undo is the aluminuminum "slugs" in the steering knuckles. The P/S cars have the tie rods in the forward hole, and the rearward holes are plugged with the slugs. Non-power cars are just the opposite. You would have to drill the slugs out to install the tie-rods into the forward holes...not a big deal. If you wanted to go back to stock, the only visual clue that it ever had P/S would be the open holes.
I don't know of anyone that reproduces these "slugs", but, it still wouldn't be a deal breaker if you wanted to sell the car down the road.
Everything else you need to do the swap is simply bolt on stuff. You may have a problem getting the correct pulleys for whatever engine combo you have, but, they are all available.
I don't know of anyone that reproduces these "slugs", but, it still wouldn't be a deal breaker if you wanted to sell the car down the road.
Everything else you need to do the swap is simply bolt on stuff. You may have a problem getting the correct pulleys for whatever engine combo you have, but, they are all available.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I just purchased the PS complete kit from MAD for my '71. We plan to install it early in January. I am in retail and and haven't even opened the door to my shop in three weeks. I thinks the cars are still in there? We plan on photographing as we go. It looks pretty simple. Probably the hardest is getting the pump in an getting the pulleys to line up but I have a lift so we can at least work easily from the bottom. We will kepp you posted and try to post some pics here.
P.S. Joel - both sets of holes are open on my steering knuckles. Does that mean the car possibly had PS at one time?
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
I'd recommend the Steeroids rack and pinion kit if you can swing the sheckles. If you have to put an entire system in, why go old school...
Under $1200 w/free shipping from Volunteer Vette. It is truly night and day from the original steering...
LukesVette Homepage
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America
Support Our Troops 
Lifetime MemberHot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
[QUOTE=LukesVette]I'd recommend the Steeroids rack and pinion kit if you can swing the sheckles. If you have to put an entire system in, why go old school...
Under $1200 w/free shipping from Volunteer Vette. It is truly night and day from the original steering...
[/QUOTE]
ditto.. very quick steering, much better feel.. and its reversible..
not permanent mods required
Hey Ben, been awile. I hope all is well. Fran
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=71Shark] P.S. Joel - both sets of holes are open on my steering knuckles. Does that mean the car possibly had PS at one time?
[/QUOTE]
Not necessarily. Some people will move the tie rods to the front hole for quicker steering on non-power cars. It does take more armstrong to steer that way, tho. Are your rods in the front or rear holes now? If they are in the front holes, then someone has moved them there. The slugs will not normally just fall out. They are swedged in there pretty tight, so I would suspect they were removed.
Now, if your rods are in the rear holes now, that might indicate it had P/S at one time.
(
What the heck happened to the font here??? I didn't do that! 
) Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I'm not an old-timer, but I still can't read Joel's post soooo........
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]
Not necessarily. Some people will move the tie rods to the front hole for quicker steering on non-power cars. It does take more armstrong to steer that way, tho. Are your rods in the front or rear holes now? If they are in the front holes, then someone has moved them there. The slugs will not normally just fall out. They are swedged in there pretty tight, so I would suspect they were removed.
Now, if your rods are in the rear holes now, that might indicate it had P/S at one time.
( What the heck happened to the font here??? I didn't do that! ) [/QUOTE]
Not necessarily. Some people will move the tie rods to the front hole for quicker steering on non-power cars. It does take more armstrong to steer that way, tho. Are your rods in the front or rear holes now? If they are in the front holes, then someone has moved them there. The slugs will not normally just fall out. They are swedged in there pretty tight, so I would suspect they were removed.
Now, if your rods are in the rear holes now, that might indicate it had P/S at one time.
(
What the heck happened to the font here??? I didn't do that! ) [/QUOTE]